willits + sakamato

The recent album by Christopher Willits and Ryuichi Sakamoto has been getting a lot of love on 17 Dots the past few days. And I’m glad to third (?) that emotion. So if you’re into it, I’d like to take a quick moment to point out some of the stuff that we have on the site that’s in that same style. (And some of the other great work that these guys have made on their own.)

If you’re digging Ocean Fire, the best place to start looking elsewhere is Christian Fennesz, whose Endless Summer is a fascinating example of how electric guitar can be distorted to the limits of recognition (and past) and still make beautiful music. For much smoother sailing, though, I’d recommend Klimek’s latest, Dedications, which similarly effects guitar lines, but does so gently – instead of distorting them, Klimek makes them quiver and shake like billowing leaves.

Christopher Willits’ early work, Folding, And the Tea is on a similar tip, although there is a bit more rhythm to his compositions. Also worth checking out is his “pop” record, Surf Boundaries. eMusic user gestalt-coolness called it “one of the most wonderful musical works of the century and, sadly, one of the least recognized.” Download “Colors Shifting” and you might become a believer.

Ryuichi Sakamoto has plenty of work on the site, although we don’t have anything from the awesome Yellow Magic Orchestra. We have a sampling of his soundtrack work, though, of which I would recommend Derrida. It was one of the rare movies in which I stayed in the theater to see who had done the music as the credits rolled. It’s spare, click-y and abstract – working wonderfully with the documentary about the philosopher. Probably not for everyone, but I come back to it from time to time and never get tired of it.